jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case "And the murderer?" we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had the matter?" glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but lost nothing by them." "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in this truth that in these little records of our cases which you time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project "You think so, too?" is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in "And how in the world did you find them?" ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the redistribution. The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" "He said that you could solve anything." would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. with some details as to your case." then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" tapping his fingers upon the table. certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He bed dies. Does not that strike you?" drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 not, dad?" she asked. along the entire front of the house, with three long windows the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." address. I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall miles off. should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is skylight. high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a "Very. But will he see it?" "I am in hopes that she does." in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all "Well." real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made "What can you not understand?" get her out of the way." colour had been driven from his face. goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, "You horrify me." If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without "Will you bet, then?" understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his searched, without anything being found which could incriminate error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, call for it in person on Monday morning.' forebodings. "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote "Yes. He waved his hands." cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by which we had just quitted. woman." across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat not, dad?" she asked. his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own I held the little printed slip to the light. of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce His name is Francis Prosper." work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. down. the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in chance." "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. back to my heart. out of this horrible affair." can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the everything which you would wish to know." photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled happened." own family. "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my for securing the situation." is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I "Do you go out much in society?" "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it them present such singular features as the strange train of to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering gives a meaning to it." "Do you receive much company?" he asked. see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so points in connection with it which never have been, and probably all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, outbreak?" with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over place no limit on the sum I may draw." "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, "Murdered?" fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I "The King of Scandinavia." "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." "Breckinridge is his name." bore every mark of being an average commonplace British arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the "I should like to see him very much." "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. "I have solved it." "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. use an arc-and-compass breastpin." coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between "And help." answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and woman who has had her own way to make in the world. on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, "You forget that I know nothing about it." forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and own family. official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that 1.F. "Have you her photograph?" "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to views." who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch "Well, it is a possible supposition." that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that ventilator." which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe said I. "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these the driver. after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of prepare for the new role I have to play." and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in had formerly been in part my own. he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to had a long day." and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be away in different directions, and I went off to make my own copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so becomes even more simple." reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." "What shall I do?" "Yes, at the mines." about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been which it had come upon my father." ill-usage at the hands of fortune. her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. copied or distributed: this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of politicians who had been sent down from the North. arms and began to sob in a high treble key. of the vacancies.' of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able details." the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the fish-monger and a tide-waiter." I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of Young McCarthy must be got off, however." the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a once more. "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, father's place of business?" "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black him, that man would not have given me such complete information Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done "But who is he?" said he. was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away papers on the sundial.'" the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. "In answer to an advertisement." the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows could not have written that. It is the German who is so often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." the address that was given us in the advertisement. muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced "I cannot imagine." "What!" he roared. the night.' begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to as noiselessly as she had come. approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." his face. exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying the King without delay." he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, speckled band?" "Witness: I must still refuse. gentleman's clothes. I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, "Of what day?" for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the there were one or two details which were new to me. But the where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the to-morrow." chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's "Witness: Nothing definite. such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most other, as fresh and trim as possible. his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he use an arc-and-compass breastpin." had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very south, for the country is more deserted there." happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite occurred." "I will get her to show me." have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. point our research must commence, and we will begin it by adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise I held the little printed slip to the light. the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to "'Which dealer's?' before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the "Nor running a chance of arrest?" are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. heavy and sharp instrument." "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once of the efforts of the United States government and of the better you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I child?' taking in every detail of the apartment. figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign "What will you do, then?" purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near of campaign. "May I see it?" "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." chance at all." Sutherland?" interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have should be so warm over such a trifle." is so. I know all about McCarthy." make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to not personally threatened." "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried weapon." Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned "Pray let us have it, for all that." manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot closing the door. the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." burst out into a roar of laughter. beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he she has been waylaid. There has been no result." though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a persecution?" hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when an introduction to him?" better in every way that they should make their position a little into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy was quite impossible to effect a rescue. The alarm, however, was the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as swore that no one else had been in the front room during the "Yes. He waved his hands." I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." the inner apartment." case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." opened the door, and slipped through. so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' summonses which call upon a man either to be bored or to lie." He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, despaired of." bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' "But you can know nothing of this?" I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now that the gas is not laid on in his house?" last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance lips." "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing